Protecting Our Most Vulnerable: Trying to Make Sense of the News from France and Australia

 

By Brett Fletcher

​It has been incredibly difficult to read the news lately. As someone who cares deeply about the safety and well-being of our children, logging online and seeing headlines about systemic failures is completely heartbreaking. Today, I wanted to take some time to process two major stories that broke recently—one out of France and one from Australia. While they are thousands of miles apart, they both touch on the painful reality of child abuse, and more importantly, how society is reacting to it.

​The Heartbreak in France

​In France, a massive and devastating scandal has come to light. Reports have revealed that school staff are under widespread investigation for violence and sexual assault against students. Schools are supposed to be safe havens—places where we trust that our children will be nurtured, educated, and protected. To hear that the very individuals entrusted with their care have betrayed that trust is sickening.

​It completely makes sense why we are seeing such visceral outrage. Parents in France have been taking to the streets in protest, demanding accountability, transparency, and an overhaul of the systems that allowed this abuse to occur under the radar. As I read about these parents fighting for their kids, I feel a deep sense of solidarity with them. No parent should have to wonder if their child is safe when they drop them off at the school gates.

​A Push for Systemic Change in Australia

​While the news out of France is focused on the unfolding investigation, a story out of Australia highlights the ongoing work needed to prevent these tragedies in the first place. The Australian government has just opened up public consultation, asking citizens to "have their say" on their next National Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse.

​There is something encouraging about seeing a government actively ask for community input to strengthen their strategies. Law enforcement and child protection agencies in Australia are recognizing that top-down policies aren't enough; they need the voices of survivors, advocates, and everyday citizens to build a framework that actually works. It is a reminder that while law enforcement is crucial for investigating and stopping predators, preventing abuse requires a collective, societal effort.

​Where Do We Go From Here?

​Processing stories like these leaves me feeling a mix of anger, sorrow, and exhaustion. But we cannot look away. The parents protesting in France and the policymakers asking for help in Australia both represent a crucial truth: silence only protects abusers. We have to keep having these hard conversations, demanding better vetting in our schools, and supporting national action plans that prioritize the voices of survivors.

​Please, check in on the children in your life. Listen to them, believe them, and advocate for safe environments in your local schools and communities.

​Resources and Support

​If you or someone you know has been affected by child abuse, please know that you are not alone and help is available. Here are a few resources:

• ​International: Child Helpline International – A network of child helplines operating in over 140 countries.
• ​United States: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline – Call or text 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelp.org.
• ​Australia: Kids Helpline – Call 1800 55 1800 or visit kidshelpline.com.au. You can also contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
• ​United Kingdom: NSPCC – Call 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk.
• ​France: L'Enfant Bleu – Call 119 (the national hotline for children in danger) or visit enfantbleu.org.

Tiny Hazards, Big Changes: A Texas Toddler’s Lifesaving Legacy

 

Each year, nearly 3,000 children are treated in the emergency room after swallowing button batteries. Tragically, more than 70 children have died from their injuries. Now, a major manufacturer is rolling out new safety technology. It's in memory of a Texas toddler, whose mother is determined to help protect other kids. - WDIV Local 4 News in Detroit. 

By Brett Fletcher

​As parents, we spend countless hours baby-proofing our homes. We cover electrical outlets, install baby gates, and latch the cabinets. But one of the most dangerous items in our homes is often hiding in plain sight, powering our everyday devices: the button battery.

​The statistics are both staggering and heartbreaking. Every single year:

• ​Nearly 3,000 children are rushed to the emergency room after swallowing these small, coin-sized batteries.
• ​Tragically, more than 70 children have lost their lives to these completely preventable injuries.

​When swallowed, these batteries can get lodged in a child's esophagus, creating a chemical reaction that burns through tissue in a matter of hours. It is a silent, rapid emergency.

​But out of unthinkable heartbreak, a fierce push for change has emerged.

​A Mother’s Mission: Honoring a Texas Toddler

​The driving force behind a massive new shift in battery safety isn't a corporate board—it’s a mother’s love.

​At the center of this story is a Texas toddler whose bright light was lost far too soon to a button battery accident. While the pain of losing a child is unimaginable, this toddler’s mother made a decision: she would fight to ensure no other family has to endure the same tragedy. She transformed her grief into unrelenting advocacy, pushing the industry to rethink how these everyday items are made.

​Her determination has single-handedly turned a personal tragedy into a lifesaving mission for children everywhere.

​The Breakthrough: New Safety Technology

​Thanks to the tireless advocacy surrounding this Texas toddler's memory, the industry is finally listening. A major manufacturer (Energizer) is officially rolling out new safety technology (ULTIMATE CHILD SHIELD) designed specifically to prevent these devastating accidents.

​While the exact mechanics of the safety features are rolling out into the market, the goal is simple: deter children from swallowing them and reduce the catastrophic damage if they do.

​What this means for parents:

1. ​Safer Products: Look for new packaging and battery designs from major brands that incorporate these new child-safe technologies.
2. ​Continued Vigilance: Even with new technology, button batteries (found in remotes, key fobs, thermometers, and musical toys) must be treated as hazardous materials in homes with young kids.

​This new technology is more than just a product update; it is a direct testament to a Texas mother who refused to stay quiet. The next time you buy a pack of button batteries with these new safety features, remember the little life that inspired them—and the mother who fought to protect your kids, too.

Parents push Congress to act on kids’ online safety after juries find Meta and YouTube liable for harm

Fresh off landmark jury decisions finding tech companies liable for harms on their platforms, some parents are making a renewed push for online safety legislation.

“I think parents are starting to wake up and see like, whoa, this is not a safe place for my child, and they want change,” Julianna Arnold, founder of the advocacy group Parents RISE!, told Fox News Digital in an interview.  

Arnold was among roughly 70 parents blaming tech platforms for harming or killing their children who traveled to the U.S. Capitol this week to advocate for online safety legislation that would better protect minors. The group held a vigil outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon with many parents holding pictures of their deceased children.

Arnold told Fox News Digital that she lost her 17-year-old daughter to fentanyl poisoning after a man approached her on Instagram and sold her what she thought was Percocet for her anxiety.

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“Ever since then, I’ve been motivated to clean up these online spaces, because they’re no place for our children,” Arnold said. “And now we’re learning that even the way they’re designing these platforms is going to be harming our children, and they’re doing it intentionally.”

A Los Angeles jury in March found both Meta and Google’s YouTube negligent for knowingly addicting and harming a young woman. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, was also ordered to pay a $345 million fine after a New Mexico jury found the company failed to protect against child sexual exploitation and misled consumers about the safety of its platform.

Meta and Google have vigorously pushed back on claims that their platforms are addictive and have vowed to appeal both rulings.

Arnold attended the Los Angeles trial and said the unprecedented verdicts finding that platforms can be held responsible for content on their platforms “changed everything” for the online safety movement. 

“Now, we’re not here to tell our story only,” Arnold said, referring to her visit to Capitol Hill. “We’re here to show the evidence that is out there that shows that these platforms are intentionally trying to addict our children, and that they are targeting our children because they want more eyeballs on their platform so they make more money.”

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A spokesperson for Meta told Fox News Digital that the company continues to work to make its products safer.

“We are listening to families, working closely with experts and conducting research to understand how to make meaningful changes, like Teen Accounts,” the spokesperson said. “We’ll keep making progress to protect teens online.”

Efforts to pass online safety legislation have so far stalled in the Republican-controlled Congress.

Arnold said her message to lawmakers is less talk, more action.

“We don’t need to have another hearing with the big tech executives,” Arnold said. “We don’t need to have all these conversations and tell our stories again, because I feel like the evidence is out there now and that’s what we brought to them today.”

Arnold and other online safety advocates are urging Congress to pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which has a veto-proof majority with 74 cosponsors. The legislation includes a “duty of care” provision legally requiring tech companies to tailor their platforms to children’s safety and omits preemption language that would restrict states’ ability to regulate online safety.

KOSA has yet to advance out of the Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, or receive a chamber-wide vote.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have both endorsed the legislation.

“We’re urging that the Senate and Sen. Cruz mark it up, get it out of committee, and put it on the floor,” Arnold said.

“This is really a nonpartisan issue,” she added. “It’s the safety of our children, the most sacred things that we have.”

Child Safety and Support in 2026

 

​Raising kids right now can feel like navigating a minefield blindfolded. It is completely valid to feel anxious about your children's safety when the landscape shifts so dramatically year by year. However, living in fear isn't the answer. We cannot bubble-wrap our kids, but we can absolutely equip them—and ourselves—with practical, grounded strategies.

​As we look at the realities of 2026, the threats have evolved. Online safety is no longer just about avoiding strangers in chat rooms; it is about navigating AI companions, algorithmic rabbit holes, and complex social platforms. Physical safety, in turn, is deeply connected to their digital lives—the greatest physical threat often isn't a stranger at the park, but someone they first met through a screen.

​Here is a comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to keeping your kids safe from digital and real-world predators.

​The 2026 Digital Frontier: Online Safety

​The internet is integrating into our lives faster than regulatory guardrails can keep up. With the rise of AI chatbots and hyper-personalized algorithms, the goal is proactive guidance, not just reactive punishment.

​Online Safety - To Do

• ​Do set up device-level boundaries immediately: Before a device ever reaches your child's hands, use built-in family controls (like Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link) to restrict app downloads, set communication limits, and cap screen time.
• ​Do monitor AI interactions: AI companion chatbots are increasingly popular and can simulate deep emotional relationships, bypassing standard filters. Treat AI chatbots with the same caution as a live stranger.
• ​Do utilize "Teen Accounts": Major platforms now offer linked accounts that allow you to monitor who your teens are talking to, block unknown accounts from messaging them, and approve privacy settings without reading every single direct message.
• ​Do keep screens in public spaces: For younger children, enforce a strict rule that tablets and laptops are only used in the living room or kitchen, never behind closed bedroom doors or in the bathroom.

​Online Safety - What Not To Do

• ​Do not rely on your child to self-police: The algorithms designing these platforms are built by experts to keep users hooked. Expecting a child's developing brain to simply "turn it off" without parental controls is unrealistic.
• ​Do not use technology as an unfiltered babysitter: Handing over a device to buy yourself 30 minutes of quiet is completely understandable, but ensure heavy web filtering is active to block explicit content or extreme violence.
• ​Do not ignore their digital footprint: Do not allow your kids to post their school uniforms, home addresses, or real-time locations (like on the Snapchat Map) publicly. Location data is a direct bridge from the online world to physical danger.

​

The Physical Reality: Offline Interpersonal Safety

​Physical safety in 2026 requires recognizing that the digital and physical worlds blur together. Predators use online platforms to build trust, with the ultimate goal of a physical meeting or extortion.

​Physical Safety - To Do

• ​Do establish strict rules about offline meetups: The rule must be non-negotiable: Never meet someone in person that you only know from the internet without a parent present.
• ​Do teach them about grooming tactics: Explain in age-appropriate terms that bad adults often pretend to be kids. Teach them that anyone asking them to keep a "special secret" from their parents, or trying to isolate them into private chat apps, is a massive red flag.
• ​Do establish a family safe word: Create a code word your child can text you or say on the phone if they ever feel uncomfortable with a person they are with—whether it's a friend's parent, a coach, or an acquaintance. When they use it, you pick them up immediately, no questions asked.
• ​Do use location trackers transparently: Using AirTags or family GPS apps is a great tool for physical safety, but tell your kids you are using them. It builds trust and acts as an open safety net rather than covert surveillance.

​Physical Safety - What Not To Do

• ​Do not assume "gaming friends" are kids: A voice on a headset playing Fortnite or Roblox is not inherently safe just because they are playing a kid's game. Monitor in-game voice chats.
• ​Do not respond to mistakes with immediate isolation: If your child admits they sent an inappropriate photo or talked to a stranger, do not immediately confiscate all technology as a punishment. If they fear losing their social lifeline, they will hide the danger from you next time.
• ​Do not ignore red flags: Unexplained gifts arriving in the mail, your child quickly closing out tabs when you walk in the room, or sudden, drastic withdrawal from family life are warning signs that must be addressed immediately.

​Age-Appropriate Guardrails

​0-9 Years

• ​Online Boundaries: Strict content filtering; Device use in common areas only; Absolutely no social media or multiplayer voice chat.
• ​Interpersonal & Physical Boundaries: Constant adult supervision; Teach the difference between "good secrets" (surprises) and "bad secrets."

​10-13 Years

• ​Online Boundaries: Linked "teen accounts"; Monitor AI chatbot use; Scheduled screen downtime; Approve all friend requests.
• ​Interpersonal & Physical Boundaries: Establish strict neighborhood boundaries; Teach how to recognize online grooming and manipulation tactics.

​14+ Years

• ​Online Boundaries: Open dialogue about algorithms, privacy settings, digital permanence, and sextortion risks.
• ​Interpersonal & Physical Boundaries: Honest discussions about physical boundaries; Emphasize the absolute danger of meeting internet acquaintances alone.

​Essential Support and Resources

​If you suspect your child is in danger, being exploited, or struggling deeply, do not hesitate to reach out to professionals. You do not have to carry this burden alone. Save these numbers in your phone today.

• ​National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): For reporting online exploitation, grooming, sextortion, or missing children. Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
• ​Focus on the Family Counseling Services: Provides a free, one-time phone consultation with a licensed counselor to help parents navigate family crises, behavioral issues, and safety concerns. Call 1-855-771-HELP (1-855-771-4357) weekdays from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Mountain Time).
• ​Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals if you suspect a child is being harmed. Call or text 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
• ​988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: For immediate, free, and confidential support for anyone in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources. Call or text 988.

Asian American Parents Discuss Bullying, Racism With Their Kids

The Senate will vote on a bill addressing hate crimes against Asian Americans on Wednesday amid a surge in AAPI hate crimes. The bill comes as many Asian American parents are now discussing with their kids about the bullying, racism, and violence that they may encounter.

As a father to two young boys, New Jersey Democratic Congressman Andy Kim finds himself reflecting on the first time he was targeted for being Korean American. He said he was about six years old when a group of older kids mocked his appearance.

"Saying things like, 'How can I see through these slanty eyes' and, oh, 'He's Chinese or Japanese, oh, it doesn't matter.' It's honestly one of the earliest memories that I can remember at all in my life," Kim told CBS News' Elaine Quijano.

Kim said the incident made him feel like he was invisible and a joke. He never told his parents, but decades later, his 5-year-old son, Austin, shared his own experience.

"He said a bigger kid kept telling him, 'Call him China Boy, Chinese boy' over and over again. And my son just kind of laughed it off and was just like, 'I kept telling him, I'm a New Jersey boy.' And it was so sweet that he said that and I could tell it bothered him," Kim said.

He said that he told his son "that he did the right thing" but struggled to find words to comfort him.

"But at that point, I was really floundering and I really struggled to figure out the right words to say... what should I do in preparing myself to have this conversation with my kid?" Kim said.

Those tough conversations about race are something developmental psychologist Tiffany Yip believes parents of all backgrounds should start early.

"I think it's really important for us to think about how we could teach our kids to speak up for their peers. I think if we can empower our children to speak up more for each other, they'll also learn to speak up for themselves better," Yip said.

It's an approach Jane Park is using in Seattle with her two children. Park's conversation came in the wake of the Georgia shootings that killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent. Her video that showed Park talking to her seven-year-old son Bennett about the issue went viral and has been viewed over two million times.

"I was saddened because he's so young. It's just the reality that so many AAPI families are facing is that this is no longer a conversation that we can kind of table for a later time," Park said.

Park said she wants to prepare her children to respond to all hate, no matter who the target.

CBS correspondent Elaine Quijano asked Bennett, "If you were on the playground and you saw somebody else, and they were being bullied just because of how they look, what would you do?" she asked.

"I would say that's not right, and you should be better," Bennett said.

Congressman Kim is going through his own personal reckoning. He's just now learning about years of discrimination his parents endured quietly as immigrants.

"The question for us and our generation is, 'Are we going to accept that there's just a certain baseline of foreignness and xenophobia and discrimination that we just have to accept?' And I say no, this is a moment where many of us feel empowered to say that 'This is just not right and yes... we belong,'" he said.

Psychologists report that children are able to understand the concept of race as young as age three, and that's why parents should start these conversations early, so children aren't left to try to make sense of things on their own.

Yip recommends that one place to start is parents expressing to their children how bias makes them feel, which can then open the door for kids to voice their own feelings.

Thorn - Keeping your kids safe online in the age of COVID: Usable tips for parents - PARENTING PREVENTION

By James, Thorn Staff 

As a parent, I’m concerned.

Not only am I worried about my family’s health in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic, but I’m figuring out how to run a school out of my dining room, learning how to work with my spouse a few feet away from me at all times, and my cat needs ear drops twice a day.

Since I work at Thorn, I’m also acutely aware of the fact that children are spending way more time online—at least 50% more time on screens for ages 6-12—and now I’m hearing about Zoombombing, where nefarious users hack into Zoom sessions, including elementary school lessons, to share abusive content. I’m not used to hearing about child safety from the news — I usually hear it from my team first. But these days, we’re all in this together.

I know I need to have some really important and difficult conversations with my child about staying safe online right now. Parenting a child with both special needs and a proclivity for technology, I’m constantly striving to balance keeping their digital experience safe while adjusting to a sudden increase in our reliance on technology as a family.

I recognize that I sit in a privileged position in the grand scheme of things, being able to continue working remotely on a mission that I care deeply about. But regardless of where we are in the world or what our daily lives look like right now, parents the world over are facing the same dilemma as me: how do I keep my child safe online — not only right now, but in a future that is based in technology?

My colleagues at Thorn, and our partners in the child-safety community, have been developing and sharing resources that make both my day-to-day parental duties and those tough conversations a little less intimidating.

My hope is that these tips are approachable, pragmatic, and helpful, and in no way act as a source of stress for caregivers that already have a lot to balance.

Here’s how to start thinking about, talking about, and addressing online child safety with your kids in the age of COVID-19:

Ask your kids to teach you about their favorite apps

Adobe//georgerudy

For children that have their own devices, this is the perfect time to ask about the apps and games they use the most. But don’t stop there: take it a step further and let your kids actually show you how to download and use their favorite apps and games.

By letting your child become the teacher, it gives you a chance to hear directly from them how, when, and why they use these apps. You are invited into their world and see it through their eyes. And most importantly, you’ll see how the games work, where it’s easy to meet new people, which behaviors are risky and which aren’t, so you can help your child navigate their digital world.

This is critical information that takes guesswork out of the equation and also reveals where safety issues might arise. Now when you have conversations with your kids about online safety, you’ll be able to speak their language.

Participate in online trends with your kids
You’ve heard of TikTok, but have you completed the latest viral challenge?

Ask your kids about the viral challenges they’re seeing on TikTok and which one you can do together. That might mean acting a bit silly or feeling a little awkward at first, but it’s both great bonding time and an opportunity to learn more about the platform.

Again, let your kids lead the way here. It’s a chance for them to teach you something, which they don’t often get to do, and a fun way to spend time together while still allowing the kids to interact with technology.

Talk to your kids about sharing content

Times have changed, and just as many adults share suggestive pictures with their partners, sexting is also more common among youth. One recent survey found that as many as 40% of kids are exposed to a sext by the age of 14.

That means content sharing of nude or partially nude images isn’t just an issue that applies to teenagers, but something any child interacting with a device should be aware of.

As a parent, I know just how uncomfortable and awkward this conversation can be. Thankfully, StopSextortion.com has some excellent resources for caregivers on how to start the conversation. There’s also important information on what to do if your child has had an image of themself shared beyond the intended recipient without their consent, and the next steps to take.

Check out the Stop Sextortion site for more ideas to explain the risks of self-generated content.

Know the words “sextortion” and “grooming”

We’ll go into these in more depth in future posts, but sextortion and grooming are two important risks for you to know when keeping kids safe online.

Grooming refers to the tactics used by online predators to convince or coerce children into making and sharing sexually exploitative content. Grooming can take a variety of forms, but hinges on creating trust and leveraging vulnerabilities.

Sextortion refers to the coercion that can happen after that content is produced. For example, through grooming a child may be convinced to share a nude, partially nude, or sexually suggestive image of themself, which predators then use as leverage to coerce a child into further sexual exploitation. This could take the form of a predator pretending to be a child’s peer through text chat, gaining their trust and coercing them to share an image. Once that one image is shared, predators use it as leverage to coerce them into sharing more.

One easy way to get the conversation started? Tell younger kids that if they ever receive a message or interaction from someone they don’t know on any platform, from video games to social media or texts, to never respond and come straight to you.

We’re looking forward to diving into these topics and sharing directly from our team of experts over the coming months. Subscribe to our emails below and follow us on social media to be the first to see our future deep dives on these topics.

Become your kids’ safety net

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For older children in particular, but young ones as well, make sure they know you’re a safe person to come to, even if the thought of them sharing content makes you feel afraid or frustrated.

I think of how my parents always told us that if we were ever in a situation where people were drinking and we needed a ride home, to call them and they would pick us up no questions asked. This message was coupled with frank conversations about the risks of drinking, and about my parents expectations that I not be drinking, but I felt safe enough to ask for help when I needed it. I trusted that I had a safety net.

Make sure your kids know you’re a safety net. And also make sure they’re aware of resources like the Crisis Text Line, where kids can go if they don’t feel comfortable approaching adults.

Make sure classroom video meetings (and peer video chats) are secure

Schools are doing an exceptional job pivoting to remote learning, but with so much going on it can be easy to miss some key steps in keeping everything secure. And some companies have been caught off guard by the massive increase in users which have in turn exposed security flaws.

You can help by keeping an eye out for some basic security practices:

• Ensure video chats are always private, and when possible, password protected.
• Don’t share meeting links outside of private messages (like emails or texts).
• Designate someone to be the meeting supervisor, who will manage participants and watch for uninvited guests. For most conferencing apps this will default to whoever set up the meeting.
• Ensure everyone has installed the most up-to-date version of the app. Zoom, for example, has recently been adding new security features every few days.

Make sure schools and your kids are using these basic security protocols for video chats—and talk to them if you find they aren’t. We’re all in this together, and shared knowledge can make the whole community safer.

Report abuse content and sextortion—and never share it

No matter where, when, or how it happens, if you or your kids come across CSAM, report it. If you’re not sure what constitutes CSAM, it is legally defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (a person less than 18 years old). This can include images, video, audio, and any other content type.

You should report it to whichever platform you find it on, and be sure to also report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is the clearinghouse for all reports of CSAM, but they also field reports from online platforms. Cover all your bases in this case.

And remember: never share abuse content, even if you’re trying to report it. It’s actually illegal, no matter your intentions, and can keep the cycle of abuse going.

Use existing resources

• NCMEC’s Netsmartz cartoon is a great way for young children to learn about staying safe online while also being entertained.
• The Zero Abuse Project has compiled 25 tips for responding to child abuse during a pandemic.
• Child Rescue Coalition has some additional tips for keeping Zoom meetings safe.
• The Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children has compiled useful, evidence-based resources for positive parenting during a pandemic.
• Common Sense Media can help to provide guidance for parents on apps, games, and websites.
• The Family Online Safety Institute has developed resources for digital parenting.
• And if anxiety is high and you or your kids just need to talk to someone, you can contact the Crisis Text Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a remote organization, they are well equipped to connect you or your kids to resources, whether they need help with a potentially abusive situation or just feel anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Start the conversation wherever you’re most comfortable – but start it

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Online safety is an ongoing conversation that will likely change and grow as quickly as your kids. It’s not always easy to broach these topics, but starting wherever you are most comfortable and taking it in steps can help.

These conversations can happen more organically if you’re spending time with them on the apps they use and showing interest in learning about the virtual world in which all of our children are growing up.

Importantly, one instance in which you should react immediately is if you discover CSAM content or find that your child’s images have been shared without their consent. Reporting content as quickly as possible can help mitigate long-term harm. For more info on getting content removed, check out NCMEC’s guide.

The new normal

Parenting is really different today than it was a few months ago, and it’s going to be that way for a significant amount of time. We’re not always going to have all the answers, and just being here and learning more is a great first step.

We’re all in this together, and together we will be able to best defend our children from online sexual abuse. You are not only a part of a global ecosystem of parents and caregivers, but a community of people dedicated to eliminating child sexual abuse from the internet, which Thorn and our partners work toward every single day.

No matter what you’re doing, or how you’re doing it, thank you for being a defender of happiness and being willing to learn more.

Child Safety: Keeping Your Home Safe for Your Baby

If you have a baby in your house, you need to make sure he or she stays safe. Children don’t understand danger. And as they grow, babies become curious. Because of these things, you may need to change some things in your house to make sure he or she doesn’t get hurt.

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Go into each room in your house and look for dangers to your child. Here’s a list of some items that may need your attention.

In the bedroom

Remove any cords that could get around your baby’s neck. Tie up electric cords, drape cords, or curtain cords so they are less than 6 inches long and out of your child’s reach. Mobiles and hanging crib toys should also be kept out of your baby’s reach. Remove strings on crib toys and pacifiers.

The crib is the main piece of furniture in the bedroom. Choose a crib with bars no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. If the space between the bars is too wide, your baby could slip through and strangle between the bars. Use a ruler to check the width of the space between the bars. Weave a cloth between the bars if they are too far apart.

When setting up the crib, place it away from all items with cords.

The crib should not have corner posts that stick up. Corner posts are an area of the crib that can catch on items that may be wrapped around a child’s neck or catch on clothing worn by the child. Unscrew the corner posts or saw them off.

The mattress should fit snugly against the sides of the crib. An infant can suffocate if its head or body becomes wedged between the mattress and the sides of the crib. No more than 2 fingers should fit between the mattress and the side of the crib. Place rolled towels between the mattress and the crib if the mattress is too small.

When your baby can push up, you should remove bumpers, pillows, and toys from the crib, including toys that are strung across the crib or a playpen. Your baby can step on these things or use them to climb out of the crib and fall.

Note: In 2011, a new U.S. crib safety standard did away with the option of having one side of the crib drop down, because this drop-side “feature” was responsible for infant deaths. If you buy a new crib, this will not be an issue, but a crib manufactured before 2012 may have the drop-side “feature” risk built in. You can defeat the risk in an older crib if you can use screws that permanently attach the drop side into the end posts (or otherwise modify the crib) in a way that the drop-side can no longer drop down.

Toys

• Choose carefully when shopping for toys. Look for toys that are well made and appropriate for your child’s age.
• Watch out for toys that have sharp edges, small parts, or sharp points.
• Young children pull, prod, and twist toys. Look for toys with tightly secured parts.
• Look for safety information on the toy or label such as “Not recommended for children under 3 years of age,” or “non-toxic” on toys likely to end up in a child’s mouth. Look for “washable/hygienic materials” on stuffed toys and dolls.
• Avoid marbles, balls, games with balls, and other toys that have parts smaller than 1 3/4 inches in diameter or smaller than 2 inches long. These products can choke young children if swallowed.
• Keep toys meant for older children away from babies and toddlers.

In the bathroom

Since children can drown in very little water, you should always stay with your child when he or she is in the bathtub. NEVER leave your child alone or with an older child in the bathroom or tub – not even for a minute. If you have to answer the phone or door, take your child with you.

Always test the water before putting your child in the tub. Young children have tender skin and are easily burned if the water in the sink or bathtub is too hot. Set your water heater to 120°F or less. To check the temperature of the hot water from the faucet, run the water over a meat or candy thermometer for 3 minutes.

Add non-skid rubber mats or decals to the bottom of your bathtub to reduce the risk of your child slipping while in the tub. Make sure your child sits during a bath. Encourage this by giving him or her water-safe toys to play with.

Add a lock to the lid of your toilet to prevent drowning.

Keep electrical items such as hair dryers away from the water. Unplug them when you aren’t using them. They can cause an electric shock if they fall into the sink or bathtub while they’re plugged in.

Encourage your child to never run in the bathroom. Your child or the floor can be wet. Running on a wet surface may make your child fall.

In the kitchen

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Use the back burners on the stove for cooking.
• Keep hot foods and drinks out of reach and away from the edge of a counter or table.
• Keep knives and other sharp objects out of reach or in locked or “childproof” drawers or cabinets.
• Wind up appliance cords and keep them out of reach.
• Put latches on cabinet drawers to keep your child from opening and closing them. This will help prevent your child from smashing his or her fingers between the drawer and cabinet when closing it.

Throughout the house

Keep medicines, vitamins, cleaning supplies, and other poisons in locked cabinets. Children can’t tell the difference between medicine and candy.

If your child swallows something he or she shouldn’t, call a poison control center right away. Keep the telephone number by your phone. The national poison control hotline number is 1-800-222-1222.

Houseplants should be placed out of your child’s reach. Some houseplants are poisonous. Call your local poison control center to find out if your plants are poisonous.

Use toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Do not use gates with big spaces between the slats – children can get trapped in the openings.

Place door knob covers on doors that lead to the garage, basement, attic, or outdoors. This will help prevent your child from going where he or she shouldn’t go.

Keep children away from windows to prevent falls. Screens are made to keep bugs out – not to keep children in. Use window guards to keep children from falling. Keep chairs and other furniture away from windows so children can’t climb up. If possible, open windows from the top, not the bottom.

Anchor furniture to walls. This will prevent it from tipping over if your child climbs on it. All large furniture, such as bookcases, dressers, and TVs not mounted on the wall, should be anchored. Visit your local hardware store for safety-strap kits. If you purchase new furniture that comes with safety straps, install them right away.

Other helpful tips:

• Use plastic inserts to cover electric outlet openings that are not being used.
• Keep guns and other firearms out of the house. If guns are in the house, unload them, put them in a locked place, and keep the keys out of your child’s reach. Store the gun in a separate place from the bullets.
• When your baby is placed on anything above the ground, like a changing table, always stand close with your hand on your baby.

Things to consider

• Don’t keep toys on the upper shelf of a bookcase or on top of a tall dresser. Your child may climb the furniture to get the item and fall.
• Don’t use a tablecloth on your table. Your child may pull on the cloth and fall. Also, items from the table then may fall onto your child.
• Keep alcohol and cigarettes out of reach.
• Keep plastic bags and deflated or burst balloons away from young children.
• Lock matches and lighters in a cabinet that is higher than your shoulders.

Questions for your doctor

• Why do babies put things in their mouths?
• Where can I take an infant CPR class?
• How can I keep my baby safe when outdoors?
• How can I keep my baby safe in the car?

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Information on Safety in the Home & Community for Parents with Infants & Toddlers (Ages 0-3)

Citations

Adapted with permission from a booklet produced by the Injury Subcommittee of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.